Retailers association ‘pleased’ with new ‘commonsense approach’ to isolation

The Australian Retailers Association has welcomed the change in the definition of a COVID-19 close contact, which it says will ease the pressure on stretched retailers.

Under the new national definition, which is in force in Victoria, only people who have spent four or more hours in a household or household-like setting such as a care facility or accommodation are considered close contacts.

CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, Paul Zahra, says it’ll significantly ease the pressure on retailers who’ve been left short-staffed due to isolation requirements.

“It has been an ongoing juggling act for retailers, particularly in rostering whenever a staff member was forced to isolate under the previous rules,” he told Seb Costello, filling in for Tom Elliott.

“There’ve been many instances where some retailers, particularly small retailers, who have already been decimated by the COVID lockdowns have not been able to trade as a result of the isolation requirements, so this added to their financial woes.

“It’s a commonsense approach to make these changes now.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Australian Retailers Association’s view on the need for QR codes under the new rules